at the intersection of geary and masonic in the city laurel heights neighborhood. and they all got away. man we are glad to tell you was at the very least not hurt. >> last year this time no snow meant people were playing golf and not skiing in lake tahoe. what a difference a year makes. here's george. >>reporter: week before christmas. out of state holiday visitors are already showing up at lake tahoe. >> we just came down to see whoever pl this area. >>reporter: what do you think about california skiing. >> i love it. this is my fourth or fifth time here e-although monday brought a mix of snow and rain at lake level, look what was going on just 1,000 feet higher on the nevada side of heavenly ski resort. >> this christmas we definitely have more natural snow and we have been able to open more terrain leading into the holiday. >>reporter: the visitor authority anticipating 10 to 15 percent increase and people coming to the lake this holiday season. in part because the snow is so much better than it was at this time last year the. >> memory of last christmas were n